IN A NAVAL FIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1314, 22 October 1914, Page 4

IN A NAVAL FIGHT.

MERCHANT SHIP’S PLIGHT. The Norwegian steamer King Guttorm, plying from Krageroe to Bremeihaven, had a very lively experience of the sea fight off Heliogoland. Suddenly she heard a heavy cannonade from the north, and a few minutes later the German and British fleets turned up, steaming straight to the southward and going right for the King Guttorm, where they poured forth a fierce and continuous fire. The weather was calm, but the dense smoke from the funnels of the warships lay like a black cloud above the sea. Before getting awag the King Guttorm was completely surrounded by the battling fleets, and her terror-stricken crew found themselves in the midst of a shower of shells. There was literally a hailstorm of shot and shell over the vessel, and the crew believed that their last hour was near. The situation became especially serious when the steamer's stern was struck by a projectile which penetrated her hull, without, however, going right through her. The Norwegian vessel had many plates shot through, and her funnel was damaged. Even her flagstaff was brought down, and several of the crew were wounded. The crew say that many of the Germans were killed. After an hour’s time the Germans withdrew, and the English vessels soon ceased pursuing them. The Norwegian vessel showed her flag and escaped, and then steamed off for Kristiansand, where those of the crew who were wounded were taken to hospital, and are now put of danger. i ~ ~~